by When it comes to air travel, good advice can go a long way. But while we’re used to being bombarded with so-called travel hacks on social media, how often do we hear wisdom from those who do it Really Do you know your way around?
Not only do captains, pilots and cabin crew fly more often than 99 percent of us. They also see and know far more than the average passenger – not least because they are usually the ones watching over the rest of us.
What did they learn from this experience about how to provide the best experience for passengers? I interviewed some pilots and flight attendants to find out exactly what they had learned after working in the world of aviation for nearly a century.
The early bird
For Nick Eades, an experienced captain and author who holds the record for the most trips on the iconic Boeing 747, the process of enjoying a decent getaway begins long before you’re about to board – with choosing flights, those most likely to leave on time.
“If you’re flying short-haul, consider booking an early morning flight as the chance of delays is significantly lower,” he says. The reason for this is that airlines like Ryanair often have the same aircraft flying back and forth several times a day. “Any problems they encounter earlier will cause subsequent delays later.”
Timing is also crucial when it comes to defeating the masses. “Tuesdays and Wednesdays are generally less crowded and fares are lower,” says veteran captain and future children’s author Robert Johnson. If you really want a quieter experience, he says, try a business-focused airport on the weekend (hello, London City).
A bumpy ride
When it comes to the flight itself, pilots usually pride themselves on making everything as smooth as possible. “Before the flight we will study weather patterns and forecasts to minimize the risk of turbulence,” says Nick Eades. So if you’re lucky enough to have a comfortable flight on your next trip, you know who to thank.
If turbulence occurs, it’s generally better to sit at the front of the plane or closer to the wings (which, of course, are the center of gravity). “Sometimes the cabin crew would call us and say it was bumpy in the back, but we might not always be able to tell from the flight deck,” he adds.
Caught napping
When it comes to the ever-current question of how to beat jet lag, airline captains swear by the tried-and-tested remedy of the power nap. Given the time constraints on board, these shorter naps are usually a necessity for the job, but can also be beneficial for the rest of us.
“If you’re changing time zones on a long flight, a 45-minute nap can be crucial,” says Robert Johnson. Crucially, this allows you to replenish your energy levels without entering deep sleep, which can leave you groggy.
If you decide to sleep longer, a secret tip is to set your alarm clock about 20 minutes before breakfast time (which the cabin crew should tell you). This way you save yourself the rush to the toilet and can brush your teeth with less effort.
To maximize your comfort throughout the rest of your flight, a little planning can go a long way. Bringing your own hydration is of course a must – take a refillable bottle and use the water fountains after security – but you should also be prepared that not everything on board works as well as you’d hope.
The in-seat charging stations and entertainment screens aren’t 100% reliable, so it may be worth bringing a power bank and a phone with downloaded movies. When it comes to refreshments, airlines typically restock supplies, but most employees still prefer to bring their own coffee pot. “Airplane coffee is usually brewed in large pots and if you leave it for a short time, the cup may not be quite as perfect,” says Nick Eades.
Make a meal out of it
When it comes to knowing the ins and outs of in-flight service, no one has more wisdom than those who offer it. Paula Gahan is the cabin crew on duty and host of the Bad Air Hostess podcast, in which she gives honest insights into the world of air travel – and also the odd insider tip.
If you like to eat early on the flight (perhaps to maximize your possible sleep time), she suggests that you think about ordering one of the various “special” meals that cater to different dietary needs, but are not always that different from those remaining options.
“Cabin crew usually serve these meals before the main menu,” she says. However, if you want to maximize your chances of getting good service, she doesn’t recommend any travel “hack,” but instead recommends not testing the crew’s patience in the first place.
“One of the most annoying things right now is people doing galley yoga. “I don’t know how this trend even started,” she says. “As cabin crew, we don’t have a lot of space anyway, so it’s really annoying when someone takes up a lot of it just to do their morning stretches.”
Veteran flight attendant and union representative Kris Major (current chair of the European Transport Workers Federation’s Flight Crew Committee) urges passengers to remember that cabin crew are usually in exactly the same situation as them – at least when there are delays.
“We don’t want to be late either and will do everything we can to prevent that,” he says. However, he points out the irritating tendency of some passengers to incorrectly assume that cabin crew are withholding information about why the plane is still on the tarmac. “If they have information, they will tell you.”
Cold shoulder
Finally, you can assure the experts that you don’t have to worry too much about catching a cold on your flight. Even if aspiring flight attendants struggle with the sniffles, Major says it’s usually part of adjusting to the demanding hours of the job.
“We have high-quality HEPA filters on planes and the air is very dry,” he adds. “Most insects need moisture to stay alive and spread.” So you can at least cross that worry off your list of worries the next time you board a long-haul flight.
